During my second semester of junior year, I had the opportunity to tutor a young child one-on-one for a few weeks. Working closely with someone who faced challenges in reading and writing gave me a deeper understanding of what it means to support a student. At first, I wasn’t sure how to keep the lessons engaging or how to explain concepts in a way that truly connected with them. However, through patience and persistence, I began to see progress—not only in the child’s academic skills but also in their confidence. 

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This experience taught me that teaching is more than just delivering lessons; it’s about building trust, being adaptable, and helping students find their path to success. The child I worked with was incredibly creative and strongly loved anything involving colors and animals. I quickly learned that by incorporating those interests into our sessions, I could make learning more exciting and meaningful. I used colorful materials, animal-themed stories, and art-based activities to spark curiosity and keep our time together fun and effective. 

Being her tutor taught me how important it is to personalize instruction based on a student’s interests and learning style. Every child is different, and finding what works for them is key to being a practical and caring educator.